Parliament was adjourned as news of the earthquake came through. Party leaders made statements to the House as the seriousness of the situation became clear.
David Meates is Chief Executive of the Canterbury District Health Board.
Update of the Canterbury Earthquake.
John Townend is a seismologist for GNS; and an Associate Professor at the School of Geography, Environment and Earth Sciences.
Andrew Holden is the Editor of The Press. The Christchurch Press building suffered extreme damge.
Radio New Zealand reporter Rachel Graham is at the triage centre that has been set up in Latimer Square.
Hewitt Humphrey summarises news of the Canterbury Earthquake.
Peter Davy is the chief executive of Ports of Lyttleton.
Elizabeth Brayton was in Charteris Bay when quake hit.
Pete Connors is the New Zealand Transport Agency Operations Manager.
Colonel Roger McElwain has recently been briefed on the military response in Christchurch.
Christchurch city councillor Barry Corbett is at Civil Defence headquarters.
The Crusaders rugby side had just finished training at Rugby Park when the quake struck.
Hewitt Humphrey summarises news of the Canterbury Earthquake.
Some Christchurch residents were able to get out of the city to stay with relatives.
Roger Sutton works for Orion Energy.
Update of the Canterbury Earthquake.
Today was the second day of a meeting of the US New Zealand Partnership Forum.
The fire service in Christhcurch says its resources are stretched.
Monique Oomen is the communciations manager at Christchurch Airport.
Hewitt Humphrey summarises news of the Canterbury Earthquake.
Bill English addresses Press at the Beehive.
Peter Cooper is in the suburb of Woolston.
Hewitt Humphrey summarises news of the Canterbury Earthquake.
Lydia Ayden is Christchurch City Council's General Manager of Public Affairs.
Jim Palmer says there is significant damage, but it is not as bad as the September 4 earthquake last year.
Federated Farmers have offered help for the earthquake.
Hewitt Humphrey summarises news of the Canterbury Earthquake.
Press conference with the Mayor of Christchurch.
Hewitt Humphrey summarises news of the Canterbury Earthquake.